Virginia Hope "Gena"
Erickson, 81, of  604 E. Tamarack St., Ironwood, passed away peacefully Tuesday,
July 6, 2010, in her home, surrounded by her nine children and their
families.      She was born July 24, 1928, in Ironwood,
daughter of the late Alec and Anne (Erickson) Buccanero, attended grade school
in Iron Belt, Wis., and graduated from Iron Belt High School in
1947.      On July 19, 1947, she was married to Carl R.
"Ole" Erickson in Hurley, Wis. He preceded her in death on April 3,
2010.      After her children were grown, Gena was
employed in housekeeping at Big Powderhorn Lodging Association and worked at
McDonald's. She also attended Gogebic Community College for one year, receiving
a certificate in food service.      She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in
Ironwood, where she taught in the Sunday School program, and was a proud member
of the Democratic Party. She enjoyed cooking, baking and collecting cookbooks,
and loved to read and entertain her grandchildren with wonderful
stories.  Gena and Ole's house was always open to
anyone who came by, the coffee pot was always full, and baked goods were
aplenty. Everyone that visited was made to feel at home. The more company they
had, the more they relished life.      Surviving are four sons, Jan (Dolly), Jay
(Sally), and Jamie (Irene), all of Ironwood, and Jon (Donna), Ironwood
Township;   five daughters, Diane Buc (Larry
Kangas), Wakefield, Shirley (Ron Sr.) Rhenlund, Ironwood, Margie (Jim) Sisko,
Wausau, Wis., Linda (Mickey) Recla, Ironwood, and Carrie (David) Nelson,
Bessemer; 25 grandchildren, Michele (Jason) Serafin, Liz Erickson, Rachel
(Keivan) Bakhtiar, Matthew Erickson (Lelaine Cates), Michael Erickson, Cassie
Erickson, Joshua (Jen) Erickson, Jeremy Erickson, Melvin (Amy) Pemble, Shayla
(Petr) Sevcik, Jolynn (John) Murphy, Alex Buc, Julia (Ryan) Stanley, David
Mandrella, Jennifer (Stephen) Bauer, Juliette Mandrella (Don MacAskill),
Christina (Corey) Caswick, Josh Borowiec, Andrea (Jacob) Bucknell, Jacob
Borowiec, Paul (Kristy) Recla, Justin Recla, Christie Recla, Tiffany Erickson,
and Daniel Nelson.      Gena is further survived by 24
great-grandchildren, Jaden, Chloe, Kristofer, Johannah, Breanna, Bailey,
Jocelyn, Katelyn, Celia, Courtney, Kaylee, Gabriel, Colleen, Harmony, Kaydence,
Carlin, Mason, Logan, Daija, Forrest, Haidi, Jaici, Cadence and Cole; a brother,
Brian "Scutta" (Gail) Buccanero, Ironwood Township; two sisters, Loretta
(Bernard) Walquist, Ironwood, and Carol Linn, Iron Belt; and numerous nieces and
nephews and many beloved friends.      Besides her parents and husband, she was
preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Recla; brother, Michael
Buccanero; son-in-law, Ron Buc; and brother-in-law, Richard Linn.      Out of respect for Gena's wishes, cremation
has taken place.      A memorial service will be held Saturday, July
10, at 11 a.m., at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Francis
Strong officiating.      Committal services and inurnment will follow
in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.      Luncheon will be served in the church
fellowship hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.      Relatives and friends may call at the church
from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday.      To view Gena's obituary online, sign the
guestbook and express condolences, visit
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.